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Chapter 10: Turned

Chapter 10 Turned

“I was turned because I was bitten then feed the blood of a vampire, my maker. That’s how, but as to why. Still to this day I don’t know why and I may never know. But I am aware of when and where.”

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February 26, 1720

It was a week before the sixteenth year anniversary of my birth, my last year of childhood. I was to be married the following year.

Lord Charles Partridge, my father worked for King George I. The King was a funny old man, nothing like how they depict him in history books. My father was kind of like an ambassador for the king. He traveled all over the known world many times, leaving his family behind.

That February morning he told us he was to be off again, but this time for a year. I had begged him to take us with him.

“Father, please.” At the time I still had my English accent.

“Gabrielle, my flower where would you all stay?”

“With you of course. You couldn’t possible be capable of leaving us behind. You would have to be heartless to do such a thing.”

“I’m sure it will be hard on me at first, but it is an interesting place, Egypt.”

“Egypt! I adore Egypt! Father you simple have to bring us along.”

“Charles why do you wish to torture the child?” My mother said to him. Back then she didn’t look as cold and uninviting as she does today.

My father then scooped me up and placed me in his lap even though I was much too big for such a thing. “We leave for Cairo tonight.” He whispered in my ear. I couldn’t be happier in that moment.

My things were already packed. There was nothing for me to do but wait to leave. I waited out in the garden with Kinsely. It would be a while before I saw this much green again.

“Miss Partridge, how unladylike. Sitting in the grass.” A voice came from behind me.

“Why must you call me that? I am to be your wife, you can use my first name.”

“My apologies, I’m just stuck in my ways. Could you find it in your heart to forgive me, Gabrielle.”

“You’re forgiven, Mr. Burvant.” I didn’t care for his first name. I would have to come up with something to call my future husband. “We’re going to Cairo, Egypt. Did you come to see us off?”

“No my dear. I will be accompanying you and your family on the trip.”

“How long have you known?”

“For months now.” He smirked.

“Its time we are on our way.” My father called from the walkway.

My older sister Adali, her husband Ian and my good friend Oliver saw us off.

The trip to Egypt was long. We went by carriage until we made it to the tip of Italy’s boot. In the Province of Reggio Calabria, Calabria, Italy we met with a small cozy ship.    The days spent crossing the Mediterranean I watched the sea. I made many sketches of what it looked like to see the sun raise and sink into the water.

The fourth day on the ship we celebrated my birthday and the next morning we were on the Nile. By nightfall we had made it to the beautiful city. We were to stay in a house fit for the king.

I chose the room on the top floor. I had always had a fascination with heights. I stepped out onto the balcony to watch the sky in its rays of rosy pinks and copper oranges mix and darken into majestic hues of purple and starlit black.

My first night in Egypt was perfect as were the weeks and months to follow.

I picked up the language quite quickly and made many friends among the locals. We went to a small church in the city and the members felt like family.

I saw the great wonders of Egypt.

On a trip to the Sphinx I found a tan and brown speckled cat. I took him with me. I named him Ramul, Arabic for sand.

 I was taught about the many ancient Egyptian gods. I later named myself after the king of the underworld, Osiris.

 Me, Mr. Burvant and Ramul spent a lot of time together. He spoke the truth when he said ‘he was stuck in his ways’. He talked proper to everyone. I settled with him calling me Miss Gabrielle.

 He always wore a three-piece suit even on the hottest of days. Having tea at high noon each day. Sometimes I would join him, but for the most part I abandon my ways of England. I wanted to be just like one of the people. I wore the same clothing as the women and often joined them with their work. As our time ran down the more I never wanted to leave.

“What is the matter Miss Gabrielle?”

“The matter is that we must leave such a wonderful place. I feel as if this is home and there is just a place to visit.”

“I understand how you feel, but England is our home.” He lied. He wanted to go back to England even more than mother.

“When we marry, couldn’t we make our home here?” I asked knowing he would oppose. But asked just to see what he would say.

“I suppose we could, be wouldn’t you miss your family.”

“I would miss them deeply specially my father.” I was very close to my father and sometimes I felt as if I was going to replace him with Mr. Burvant. “Do you know what to call me when we are married?”

“I have already made up my mind as to what to call you.” He said confidently.

“Well…what will it be?” I said excitedly.

“I shall call you Love.”

“Love? Do you have those feelings for me?” At the most I saw a friend in him, so how could he love me.

“I believe one day I will and they will be the strongest feelings I have ever felt.” He took my hand.

“I hope I can feel the same. I do not yet know what I am to call you.” I really wish I could one day love him.

“What ever it is you wish.”

“How about Genie?” I giggled as we met the end of the hallway.

“Your magic carpet ride awaits.” He opened the door to my bedroom. “Goodnight Ms. Gabrielle.”

“Night to you as well good Sir.”

He closed the door quietly and I listened to his footsteps fade away. 

The balcony called to me. I pulled back on the pearl white sheer curtains in front of it. I had added personal touches to make the room my own.

As I looked out on to the city that was being embraced by the night sky I realized that this maybe the last time I ever see it. The scene that I have taken in night after night for the past year. I came to this city a child and I will leave a woman.